The night above Aetherial Institute was silent.
Silver moonlight poured through the tall windows of the faculty dormitory like liquid frost, painting the room in pale shades of white and blue. Outside, ancient towers rose toward the heavens, their countless runes glowing faintly beneath the stars.
Within the quiet room, only two people remained.
One stood beside the open window.
The other sat upon the edge of a bed.
A cold sea breeze drifted inward, causing the white curtains to sway gently.
Evelyne lowered her gaze.
The former monster who had once terrorized the coastline for centuries no longer possessed the grotesque body born from hatred and corruption.
Now she appeared as a beautiful woman with long dark hair cascading over her shoulders like midnight silk.
She wore the simple academy-issued assistant professor robes she had recently received.
The dark fabric fit her slender figure perfectly.
Silver embroidery traced the edges of the sleeves and collar, symbolizing her position within the prestigious academy.
Yet despite the elegant appearance, her expression remained complicated.
Her fingers clenched the bedsheet unconsciously.
For centuries she had lived as a monster.
Now she was suddenly expected to live as a human.
The transition felt unreal.
Across from her, Kel stood calmly.
Or rather—
Aedon Flinth.
At least that was the identity he currently wore.
Moonlight illuminated his handsome face.
His academy uniform appeared simple and ordinary.
Yet even standing still, he carried an indescribable presence.
Like an ancient sovereign hiding among mortals.
For a moment neither spoke.
The silence lingered.
Then Kel finally broke it.
"Assistant Professor Evelyne."
His voice was calm.
Steady.
Almost gentle.
Evelyne immediately raised her head.
The title felt strange.
She still wasn't accustomed to hearing it.
"Yes..."
Kel folded his arms.
His golden eyes quietly observed her.
"Although I helped you break free from your miserable fate..."
His voice paused.
"...that doesn't erase everything."
The atmosphere immediately changed.
The warmth vanished.
Evelyne's shoulders stiffened.
Her expression grew pale.
Because she understood exactly what he meant.
Kel continued.
"The Leviathan younglings."
"The countless sea creatures."
"The lives lost over centuries."
"They remain a debt."
Evelyne lowered her head.
Her fingers tightened.
The room fell silent once more.
Unlike before, Kel wasn't speaking as a savior.
Nor as a friend.
He was simply stating facts.
Cold facts.
Facts that could never be erased.
"I know."
Her voice was barely audible.
"I remember everything."
Every Leviathan she had devoured.
Every sea beast she had hunted.
Every life consumed to maintain her existence.
Those memories haunted her more than any nightmare.
Kel watched her quietly.
Then his expression softened slightly.
"I know."
His voice became gentler.
"Which is why I'm not asking you to pay an impossible debt."
Evelyne slowly looked up.
Kel walked toward the window.
The moonlight illuminated his profile.
"The dead cannot be revived."
"The past cannot be changed."
"But future lives can still be protected."
Evelyne blinked.
"What do you mean?"
Kel smiled faintly.
"I have a suggestion."
Her attention immediately sharpened.
Kel turned toward her.
"The Leviathan King told me something during our negotiations."
Evelyne listened carefully.
"The number of healthy Leviathan births has been decreasing."
"The young are becoming weaker."
"The survival rate continues to decline."
A thoughtful look appeared in Evelyne's eyes.
As a former dark mage, she immediately understood the implications.
"If that continues..."
"The species will eventually decline."
Kel nodded.
"Exactly."
The room became quiet again.
Then Kel spoke the words that surprised her.
"Create a potion."
Evelyne blinked.
"A potion?"
Kel nodded.
"A potion capable of improving fertility and strengthening newborn Leviathans."
The former monster stared at him.
For several seconds she simply sat there.
Silent.
Then she laughed softly.
Not because the idea was ridiculous.
But because she finally understood.
"You want me to repay death by protecting life."
Kel smiled.
"Something like that."
Evelyne lowered her gaze.
The idea seemed simple.
Yet the meaning behind it carried tremendous weight.
For centuries she had taken life.
Now she would create life.
For centuries she had brought suffering.
Now she would heal.
A strange warmth spread through her chest.
Perhaps...
Perhaps this truly was a path toward redemption.
Kel continued.
"You possess exceptional talent in dark magic."
"Frankly speaking, your understanding of biological manipulation is probably among the best on the continent."
Evelyne's lips twitched.
"That sounds less like praise and more like an accusation."
Kel laughed.
"Maybe both."
For the first time since meeting him, Evelyne genuinely smiled.
The room suddenly felt lighter.
Then her expression became serious.
"It won't be easy."
"I know."
"The Leviathans are ancient creatures."
"I know."
"The ingredients required will be rare."
"I know."
Evelyne narrowed her eyes.
"Do you know everything?"
Kel grinned.
"Almost."
She rolled her eyes.
Then unexpectedly laughed again.
The sight surprised even herself.
For centuries she had forgotten how to laugh.
Now it came naturally.
After a moment, her smile faded.
A serious expression returned.
"I'll do it."
Kel nodded.
"I expected as much."
"I'll need time."
"Take as much as you need."
"I'll need laboratory access."
"You have an academy position now."
"Right..."
Evelyne suddenly looked down at her robes.
Assistant Professor.
The title still felt surreal.
Her fingers lightly touched the embroidered symbol on her sleeve.
The realization made her strangely emotional.
If someone had told her a month ago that she would become a professor instead of a monster...
She would've laughed at them.
Or eaten them.
Kel seemed to read her thoughts.
"Quite the career change."
Evelyne covered her face.
"Please don't remind me."
Kel chuckled.
The atmosphere eased once more.
Then he suddenly stepped onto the window frame.
Evelyne immediately stood.
"You're leaving already?"
Kel glanced over his shoulder.
The moonlight reflected within his eyes.
"I am still technically a student."
"Students shouldn't spend the night in faculty dormitories."
"Especially through windows."
Evelyne crossed her arms.
"You entered through the window."
"And?"
"You sound proud of that."
"I am."
"You shouldn't be."
"I disagree."
Evelyne stared at him.
Then sighed.
"I suppose arguing with you is pointless."
"Very."
The former monster shook her head.
Then her expression softened.
"Thank you."
Kel paused.
"For what?"
"For everything."
The room fell silent.
Evelyne looked directly into his eyes.
"Not for saving me."
"Not for giving me a job."
"Not even for helping me become human again."
Her voice became quiet.
"Thank you for believing I could become something other than a monster."
For a brief moment, genuine emotion appeared on her face.
Raw.
Honest.
Vulnerable.
Kel remained silent.
Then he smiled.
A small smile.
Yet one filled with sincerity.
"Don't thank me yet."
Evelyne blinked.
Kel pointed toward her.
"You still have mountains of paperwork waiting."
The smile instantly vanished from her face.
"...Paperwork?"
Kel nodded sympathetically.
"As an assistant professor."
Evelyne suddenly looked horrified.
"How much paperwork?"
Kel slowly grinned.
"A lot."
Her expression became pale.
"More terrifying than becoming a monster?"
Kel considered seriously.
"Comparable."
Evelyne's face froze.
Kel immediately jumped through the window.
The next second—
"COME BACK HERE!"
Her furious voice echoed through the night.
Laughter drifted from outside.
For the first time in centuries, the former monster felt alive.
Truly alive.
...
Far above the academy grounds.
Kel moved across rooftops beneath the moonlit sky.
Cold winds brushed against his face.
His black hair danced lightly in the breeze.
The academy below appeared peaceful.
Students slept.
Professors rested.
The ancient island remained calm.
At least on the surface.
Suddenly—
A familiar voice echoed within his mind.
"You seem pleased with yourself."
Kel smiled.
"Good evening, Seiren."
Far away beneath the waters of Scarder Lake, the divine guardian responded through their spiritual connection.
"You purified a centuries-old monster."
"Negotiated peace with Leviathans."
"Created a guild."
"Established a professor."
"And somehow you're still attending classes."
Kel laughed.
"When you say it like that, it sounds strange."
"Because it is strange."
A pause followed.
Then Seiren's tone softened.
"Do you truly believe she can walk the path of redemption?"
Kel gazed toward the distant ocean.
Silver moonlight shimmered across the waves.
"Yes."
"Even after everything she's done?"
"Especially after everything she's done."
The goddess remained silent.
Kel continued.
"Someone who feels no guilt cannot change."
"Someone who regrets their actions can."
"And Evelyne?"
Kel remembered her expression.
The guilt.
The sadness.
The determination.
"She's already changing."
The ocean goddess seemed thoughtful.
"Perhaps humans are stranger than I imagined."
Kel smiled.
"You're only realizing that now?"
"After meeting you, I realized it immediately."
Kel laughed.
The conversation continued as he crossed the rooftops.
The stars glittered above.
Ancient towers stood watch.
The sea breeze carried distant whispers from the ocean.
For the first time since arriving at Aetherial Institute...
Things felt peaceful.
Yet Kel knew better.
Peace never lasted.
Not around him.
Somewhere beneath the academy.
Ancient secrets slumbered.
Forgotten ruins waited.
Hidden powers stirred within darkness.
And sooner or later...
Those mysteries would begin moving once again.
The gears of fate had already started turning.
They simply had not noticed it yet.
As Kel disappeared into the moonlit night, neither he nor Evelyne realized that this small conversation—
This discussion about a debt owed to the sea—
Would eventually become the key that changed the relationship between humanity and Leviathans forever.
And perhaps...
The first step toward a future neither side had ever imagined.
The night remained silent.
The stars continued shining.
And destiny quietly advanced toward its next chapter.